8B
GAME DAY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
KU KICK-OFF
AT A GLANCE
At A Glance: After handling its toughest nonconference foe with ease last weekend, Kansas looks poised to start the season 4-0. Southeastern Louisiana's talent level is nowhere near that of Kansas, but the Jayhawks must avoid growing complacent heading into Saturday's game. Overlooking one nonconference opponent could throw the entire season overboard for the most promising team of the Mark Mangino era.
BY THE NUMBERS
(National ranking:2007 stats)
1052.0 ppg:
scoring offense
31:230 ypg:
rushing offense
14:308 ypg:
passing offense
20:7.0 ppg:
scoring defense
52:114 ypg:
rushing defense
51:180 ypg:
passing defense
PLAYER TO WATCH
Player to watch: Sophomore running back Jake Sharp. The Southeastern Louisiana defense likes to apply pressure to the quarterback to force miscues. If the Lions
blitzes,
Reesing
could toss a
shovel pass
or quick
swing pass
to Sharp
as a safety
valve. With
the defense
in front of
Sharp
him, Sharp finds ways to discover seams and gain yardage. With the defense behind him after an overzealous blitz, he could have an easy path to the end zone.
QUESTION MARKS
Will the Jayhawks stay focused? All week long, Kansas players have denied feeling any sort of emotional letdown while preparing for a lower-division team such as Southeastern Louisiana. Will Kansas be caught looking forward to next week's rematch with Toledo?
Will Kansas score 50 again? Kansas blew Central Michigan's supposedly decent defense out of the water last week, scoring 35 first-half points before letting up on the accelerator. Southeastern Louisiana's defense isn't anywhere near as physical or talented as Central Michigan's. The 50 point question may not be an "if?" but rather a "when?"
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
MORE FUEL FOR THE FIRE
Jayhawks hope to add to momentum from season-opener
KANSAS VS. SOUTHEAST LOUISISANA 6 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Stadium
OFFENSE
Entering last week, the Kansas offense was a mystery. After a jaw-dropping 538-yard performance against Central Michigan, only one question remains: will Kansas top 600 yards on Saturday? The new offense fit sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing like a glove, the receivers did not drop a single pass, junior tackle Anthony Collins bulldozed everyone in his path, and Brandon McAnderson looked elusive and quick as an every-down back. Coach Mark Mangino said Southeastern Louisiana could show Kansas some different setups on defense, but Kansas' offense should find a way to light up the scoreboard often.
DEFENSE
The Jayhawks looked strong on defense last week. Senior defensive tackle James McClinton brought pressure up front, junior linebacker James Holt recorded nine tackles and freshman cornerback Chris Harris more than held his own in his first collegiate game. Southeastern Louisiana scored 14 points against New Mexico State one of the more porous defenses in the nation, last week. The Kansas defenders should try to get their hits in early, because by the second half the reserves could be on the field.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Out of all the Impressive units last week, the special teams may have been the best. Senior kicker Scott Webb enjoyed one of his most impressive performances, making seven extra points, one field goal and placing three kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks. Sophomore wide receiver Raimond Pendleton stole the show with his 77-yard punt return touchdown. His sure hands and good field vision make him a consistent long-return threat and a sure bet to field the ball cleanly. Senior punter Kyle Tucker only averaged 38.2 yards per punt, but has shown the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory.
0-1
Southeast Louisiana
MOMENTUM
Kansas currently has almost as much momentum as any team in the nation. Coming off of an absolute drubbing of a respectable Central Michigan team in a game that set the season-opening attendance record, Kansas looks almost unstoppable at the moment. Mangino and his players were loose and confident after the game, and the pressure has been lowered from its pre-Central Michigan level. The offense feels good about its new scheme and the defense feels good about its new personnel.
OFFENSE
Mangino earned a gold star for his ambitious calls in fourth-and short situations. He twice elected to go for first downs and twice gained the necessary yardage. The return of offensive coordinator Ed Warinner was the big story heading into the season and is an even bigger story now that his offense proved versatile and efficient. The no-huddle offense kept Central Michigan off balance and resulted in 45 offensive points. There's no telling what it could do to an overmatched FCS opponent like Southeastern Louisiana.
The Lions' offense is centered around junior running back Jay Lucas. He not only will get the majority of the carries, but probably will be thrown to the most Saturday against the Jayhawks. Lucas gained 112 yards of total offense in Southeastern Louisiana's first game. The reliance on the running back represents coach Mike Lucas' reluctance to open up the offense for sophomore quarterback Brian Babin. Babin was 14-for-27 for 145 yards and an interception against New Mexico State, but only five of those completions were to players other than running backs or tight ends.
COACHING
Southeastern Louisiana surrendered 442 total yards and 7 yards per play to New Mexico State's dangerous offense last weekend. Judging by its first game, Kansas has every bit as good of an offense as New Mexico State. The Lions' defensive line must play better to stop the Jayhawks. Starting defensive tackles Caleb St. Louis and Brennen Harris were non-factors stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback in their first game.The secondary is the strength of the Lions' team.Junior cornerbacks Demerious Johnson and Eric Jackson are veterans and combined for three interceptions in Southeastern Louisiana's first game.
DEFENSE
Asher Fusco
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Lions need to find someone capable of returning kickoffs. Four different players returned six kicks in their first game for an average of 16.8 yards. Freshman kicker Danny Hrapmann has yet to attempt a field goal in his collegiate career. Although he was unspectacular against New Mexico State, Hrappman did manage to keep the ball in bounds on all three kickoffs. Junior Cody Samples punted a total of 11 times in his first game for an average of 38 yards.
MOMENTUM
On the surface, the Lions have little momentum. They enter with a five-game losing streak dating back to the middle of last season. Southeastern Louisiana suffered a blowout 35-14 loss to its first FBS (formerly known as Division 1-A) opponent last week and still has two more, including Kansas, to face this season. The only other Big 12 team it ever played was Texas Tech last year, which resulted in a 62-0 loss. But all FCS (formerly known as Division 1-AA) teams are receiving a minor boost in morale after Appalachian State's heroes at Michigan last weekend.
Coach Mike Lucas took over as interim head coach with three games remaining last season. He was unable to lead the Lions to any wins and lost each game by an average of 16 points. Lucas was formerly the Southeastern Louisiana defensive coordinator. First-time coordinator Matt Webb took Lucas' former position on defense. Offensive coordinator Tommy Condell spent the last three years calling plays for two CFL teams, the Ottawa Renegades and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Case Keefer
COACHING
SELU KICK-OFF
AT A GLANCE
At A Glance: Southeastern Louisiana travels to Lawrence seeking its first victory since Oct. 14. The Lions were demolished 35-14 in their opener against the New Mexico State Aggies. Mike Lucas is still hoping for his first victory as the Southeastern Louisiana head coach after going 0-4 in his first four games.
BY THE NUMBERS
(FCS ranking:2007 stats)
67:14ppg:
scoring offense
74:35ppg scoring defense
61:123 ypg:
rushing offense
67:145 ypg:
passing offense
54:153ppg
scoring defense
84:289 ypg:
scoring defense
PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior running back Jay Lucas plays in the Southland Conference, but has Big 12 talent. He transferred from Texas A&M two years ago, where he
Lucas
appeared in six games as a redshirt freshman and had a 54-yard touchdown run. He earned
Louisiana Newcomer of the Year accolades last year as the Lions' leading rusher, second leading receiver, and even threw two touchdown passes
QUESTION MARKS
Brian Babin: Southeastern Louisiana's quarterback was confined to throwing quick passes to receivers on short routes last weekend. If the Lions go down early as expected, will Babin have the opportunity or talent to get his team back in the game?
Big Plays: Southeastern Louisiana showed it can create turnovers with four interceptions last week. It also showed vulnerability by giving up both a 55-yard touchdown run and a 57-yard touchdown reception. How will the Lions prevent the explosive Jayhawk receivers from doing the same?
BIG 12 SCHEDULE
Saturday
Game Time Television
Miami at No. 5 Oklahoma 11 a.m. ABC
No. 16 Nebraska at Wake Forest 11 a.m. ESPN
Fresno State at No. 23 Texas A&M 2:30 p.m. FSN
Missouri at Mississippi 5 p.m. NA
TCU at No. 7 Texas 6 p.m. FSN
Northern Iowa at Iowa State 6 p.m. NA
Rice at Baylor 6 p.m. NA
UTEP at Texas Tech 6 p.m. NA
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma State 6:05 p.m. NA
Southeastern Louisiana at Kansas 6:05 p.m. NA
San Jose State at Kansas State 6:05 p.m. NA
Colorado at Arizona State 9:15 p.m. FSN
Saturday
Thursday
Friday
Middle Tennessee 42, No.8 Louisville 58
Game Time Television Navy at No. 15 Rutgers 6 p.m. ESPN
Saturday
| Game | Time | Television |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| No. 3 West Virginia at Marshall | 10 a.m. | ESPN2 |
| Akron at No. 12 Ohio State | 11 a.m. | BTN |
| Louisiana Monroe at No. 25 Clemson | | NA |
| Samford at No. 21 Georgia Tech | 12:30 p.m. | ESPNU |
| No. 10 California at Colorado State | 1 p.m. | CSTV |
| No. 22 Boise State at Washington | 2:30 p.m. | FSNNW |
| South Carolina at No. 11 Georgia | 4:45 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Notre Dame at No. 14 Penn State | 5 p.m. | ESPN |
| Troy at No. 4 Florida | 5 p.m. | NA |
| BYU at No. 13 UCLA | 5:30 p.m. | Versus |
| No. 20 Hawaii at Louisiana Tech | 6 p.m. | NA |
| Southern Miss at No. 24 Tennessee | 7 p.m. | NA |
| South Florida at No. 17 Auburn | 8 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| No. 9 Virginia Tech at No. 2 LSU | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| No. 5 Wisconsin at UNLV | 9 p.m. | Versus |
Big 10 Network not available on Sunflower Cable
TELEVISED GAMES
Bowling Green at Michigan State
Eastern Illinois at Purdue
Miami (Ohio) at Minnesota
Nevada at northwestern
Rhode Island at Army
N.C. State at Boston College
Oregon at Michigan
UAB at Florida State
North Carolina at East Carolina
Western Illinois at Illinois
Indiana at Western Michigan
Syracuse at Iowa
Saturday
Time Television
11 a.m. BTN
11 a.m. BTN
11 a.m. BTN
11 a.m. BTN
Noon ESPN Classic
1:30 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
2:30 p.m. ABC (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
4 p.m. ESPNU
5 p.m. CSTV
6 p.m. BTN
7 p.m. ESPNU
7 p.m. BTN
Big 10 Network not available on Sunflower Cable
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